ProvanAI has secured $1.2 million in pre-seed funding from BioGenerator and the Missouri Technology Corporation to advance its AI-assisted ovarian cancer risk assessment using breast imaging.
The Washington University spinout, founded by Joy Jiang and Graham Colditz, is developing an AI model that analyzes mammograms to assess a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer within five years.
“The breast tissue actually summarizes the past life exposure,” Jiang told St. Louis Magazine. “For example, when did the woman have her first period? How many babies did you have? What kind of lifestyle, diet, physical activity did you have? All of that is going to be summarized on her breast.”
Still early, ProvanAI’s approach builds on Jiang and Colditz’s previous company, Prognosia Inc, which used AI to analyze mammogram imaging to predict five-year breast cancer risk. The duo sold Prognosia to Seoul-based medical AI software developer Lunit last year after the company received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation.
With ProvanAI, the founders are exploring whether the same approach can be applied to other cancers by combining imaging with information about a patient’s medical history and past exposures.
The latest funding will support continued training of ProvanAI’s model, using mammography samples, expansion of its dataset, and preparation for FDA clearance.
